Banjercito

Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit

If you are driving to the interior of Mexico, past the Free Zone (21 Km, about 25 miles, from the border, 98 Km, about 60 miles, in Sonora or out of the states of Baja California), you are required to obtain a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit. This permit is issued by Banjercito, the national bank for Mexico.

Who can request a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit?

US, Canadian and all foreign citizens

Mexican Nationals with legal residence abroad or who have proof of working for more than one year outside of Mexico by means of official documents.

It is recommended that you process your request at least 7-10 days in advance of your trip. Once you complete the online process you will receive the permit and the hologram at the US or Canadian address you provided.

Can I obtain a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit the same day I request it?

Yes, you can obtain the permit by visiting the Banjercito office at the Mexican Border Crossing or at any Mexican Consulate that offers this service.

How long is the Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit issued for?

Foreigners: The duration of the permit will be the same as the length of the tourist visa.

Mexican residents abroad: In a period of one year (12 months), you are authorized to keep the vehicle in Mexico for 180 days with multiple entrances.

Mexicans: a document proving legal residence abroad or an official document to prove the migratory status authorizing them to work abroad for up to one year (examples include, definitive or temporary resident card, working permit, or double citizenship naturalization certificate).

Both foreigner and Mexicans will need:

Valid driver's license

Vehicle Title, Registration or Lease Contract with the importer's name.

*If the vehicle is a company car, rental car, leased or financed, you will need to obtain a letter of permission from the lien holder/company/lessor to take the vehicle to Mexico.

Do I need to have Mexico Insurance?

Mexico doesn't recognize foreign insurance. In case of an accident, even if you are not at-fault, you will need "proof of financial responsibility", and you will need an insurance policy issued by a Mexican Insurance company.

A guarantee deposit for the return of the vehicle to the US is required for all vehicles. The amount of the guarantee will be determined by the year of the vehicle. The guarantee will be refunded upon cancellation of the vehicle permit at a Banjercito office, as long as it is prior to the expiration date of the permit. The refund will be made in the same form as the deposit was made.

You can pay the permit fee and guarantee deposit with credit or debit card (Visa or Martercard) with the importer's name or in cash.

Year

Guarantee Deposit

2007 – newer

$400.00 USD

2001 - 2006

$300.00 USD

2000 and older

$200.00 USD

Who is allowed to drive my vehicle?

Foreigners: the owner/importer, his/her spouse, ascendants (parents), descendants (children) or siblings, even if they are not foreigners; foreigners that hold a migratory status authorizing them to do so or a Mexican national, as long as any of the authorized persons is in the vehicle.

Mexicans: the owner, his/her spouse, ascendants (parents), descendants (children) or siblings, only if they have legal residence abroad; a foreigner with the appropriate migratory status, and any other person, as long as the owner/importer is in the vehicle.

How can I cancel my permit?

When leaving Mexico you must visit the Banjercito office at the border in order to obtain the cancellation documents that prove your vehicle is returning to the US or to register the vehicle return to have a record of the days used.

Upon cancellation on or before the expiration date of the permit, you will receive the guarantee deposit back in the same form as it was paid. If the permit is not cancelled on time, you will lose the deposit. If the permit is not cancelled at all, you will lose the deposit and will not be able to import any other vehicle to Mexico in the future until the permit is cancelled. Additional fees and fines will be assessed.

IT'S ILLEGAL TO SELL, LEAVE OR GIVE SOMEONE YOUR VEHICLE IN MEXICO.

Read your vehicle importation permit carefully; remember that you are obligated to comply with these customs provisions.